Tengu
A bird-man or long-nosed hermit or goblin
A proud, bird-based, warrior race with much contradiction in its lore. Some accounts make them out to be demonic bandits and others show them as wise sages who live in remote areas.
Tengu are stubborn, loud, and hot tempered. Many are skilled martial artists. Myths say this species has caused several wars and natural disasters. Despite their negatives, they can be a sympathetic lot—taking the side of the downtrodden and helping them get a leg up in life or avenging their families by training them as warriors or teaching them tengu magic. Most live alone in forested areas, away from humankind. They can band together for a cause they consider worthy.
There are two main types in the folklore.
The ‘lesser tengu’ is the more commonly found type. They look like a cross between a bird (often a crow or kite) and a man. Bird features dominate—showing up in the head, wings and feet.
Kotengu are a quarrelsome, egotistical lot that carry out acts of mischief and destruction—from benign and random kidnappings to pillaging holy areas.
The ‘great tengu’ are the older and wiser of the tengu varieties and the top of the species hierarchy. They have more human features, though the wings may remain. Daitengu may also have red skin and a long nose. Their elongated noses may be the transformation of the beak when they changed from a kotengu.
Daitengu carry magical feather fans that can stir up the wind or change the size of another being’s nose. (Considering they are proud of their long proboscises, this is important.) They are known to cause earthquakes and fires if angered.
Great Tengu by ultimatearm
Kotengu
Karasu Tengu Statue by WolfgangMichel (Photographer)
Daitengu
by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳)
Related Articles
Tengu Bronze by Kawanabe Kyōsai
Kotengu - unknown
Appears In:
Click book/story to read.
Liminal Chronicles Books
Short Stories
Liminal Chronicles Series bookcover art by Odette.A.Bach. Book and short story bookcovers by Amy Winters-Voss with Flaticon.com icons
Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull
I love your explanation of the two different types of tengu, and the pictures you've chosen to represent them. :) I also like that you've pointed out the contradictions in a lot of the lore.
Amy Winters-Voss
Thank you! <3